One of the best signs for the Dallas Cowboys today during their OTAs was that RB DeMarco Murray was on the field. The second-year player, who showed off some serious skills last year, is coming off a broken ankle suffered on Dec. 11. In part because of his injury, the ‘Boys lost three of their last four and missed the playoffs.

When he was healthy, though, he averaged 5.5 yards per carry. The Cowboys, in fact, won all five games in which he had 20 or more carries. Clearly, he’s valuable. And now, they have him back. Murray looked, well, like himself. (Here is what I said about Murray on Total Access.)

How did he feel?

“It felt great just to get back on the field,” Murray said. “I have been working out for a long time, rehabbing. And I’m finally done with all of that. It felt good to get back in the huddle with the guys and play some football. I have been doing everything in the past month-and-a-half, 100-percent-wise. No limitations. I’m feeling good out there.”

Felix Jones (shoulder) didn’t participate in OTAs, and RB coach Skip Peete said Jones will likely miss minicamp, too. But he should be fine for training camp. That’s cool. More time for Murray, who is doing his homework.

“I’m just learning,” Murray said. “There is still a lot of work that needs to be done individually for me, as far as protection and catching the ball, and I didn’t get the chance to have this last year. It’s definitely going to help my game a lot for this upcoming season.”

Murray believed he would be fine once he started walking around following a simple surgery. That gave him a sigh of relief. Since then, he’s just been working to get back. But has he ever wondered?

Ever given time to consider what last season would’ve been like if he had been healthy?

“You always have ‘woulda, coulda and shoulda,’ and all that stuff, but I am just one guy,” Murray said. “Felix is a great running back, and he did good the last couple games I was out. You definitely want all of your pieces in when you’re playing top teams. And unfortunately I wasn’t there. But they did good.”

Murray’s hope is that this time, he won’t have to wonder…

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